Human remains discovered at 'field of blood' in rural Limerick

Human remains have been uncovered in “a field of blood” at an archaeological dig in Croagh, Limerick. 

The skeletons largely date back to the sixth and seventh century, and were uncovered as part of the Foynes to Limerick Road Project. 

The fieldwork prioritised the Adare Bypass section of the road project in anticipation of the Ryder Cup. 

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Excavation Director Seán Tiffin, who led the excavations at Croagh, said that “even before we had fully exposed the site here, we were told that the field was known as ‘the field of blood’, and so we were on high alert even before the first human bones were encountered”. 

Archaeologists working on the dig at Croagh have said that dozens of burials laid out in a Christian style have been discovered. 

One burial revealed a woman and child lying together with their skulls inclined towards each other. The archaeologists believe that this pose signifies a caring relationship between the pair, and may reveal a relationship with those who buried the pair in such a manner. 

Some of the other remains showed evidence of deaths by violence, with traces of wounds uncovered on the skeletons. 

The discoveries found from the Limerick-Foynes Road project, complete with interactive maps, 3D models and details of the amazing artefacts, can be accessed through the following website: www.tii.ie/en/technical-services/archaeology/storymaps/.